Plans to ban dogs from enclosed children’s play areas have been supported by a committee of councillors.
Members of Caerphilly County Borough Council’s Regeneration and Environment Scrutiny Committee backed the plans and agreed to recommend them to the council’s cabinet for approval.
A public consultation into the Dog Control Order proposals, conducted in September 2012, saw 92% of respondents in favour of their introduction.
Cllr David Poole, cabinet member for community and leisure services, said: “I am pleased these proposals have been supported not only by colleagues as part of the scrutiny process, but also by our residents too.
“The implementation of Dog Control Orders to exclude dogs from children’s play areas would be an additional tool at our disposal, in ensuring the irresponsible minority who do not take their environmental responsibilities in relation to dogs seriously are not allowed to get away with it.
“Residents told us in the last council Household Survey that dog fouling was the single most issue which they felt adversely affected their quality of life – we have listened to these views and are acting upon them accordingly.”
The proposals will now be considered by the council’s cabinet. If the Dog Control Orders are introduced, under the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005, offenders would receive a Fixed Penalty Notice of £75, or a fine of up to £1,000 if the matter is taken before the courts.